This document contains the report of an Illinois task force formed to examine issues that make it different to grow older as a woman than as a man and to develop a set of recommendations to help meet the needs of women in Illinois. The focus is on housing, health care, and economic security of older women. It is noted that over 1,300 older women attended public hearings, speak-outs, and roundtable discussions, and that testimony and survey responses from these women revealed that lack of financial security and a fear of the inability to pay for housing and health care in their later years were major concerns. The report is divided into sections which examine differences between older men and older women. A section on income differences between older men and women looks at the poverty rate, the relationship between age and poverty, public assistance, supplemental security income, work experiences, social security, and pensions. An examination of living and housing arrangement differences between older men and older women explores urban/rural differences, living alone, owning one's home, renting, and institutionalization. A section on health and health care differences between older men and women discusses accessible, affordable health care; needs for long-term care; the older woman as caregiver; older women and chronic long-term illness; and mental health. A conclusion and recommendations are included. Listings of the Illinois Task Force on the Status of Older Women members and selected data sources are appended. (NB)